Andrei Panibratov

Determinants of Internationalization Strategies of Emerging Market Firms: A Multilevel Approach

Recently, debates about uniqueness of emerging market firms’ (EMFs) internationalization strategies were a focus of research. Yet, findings regarding their determinants are mixed, and conclusions on how EMFs’ internationalization strategies can be theoretically explained vary greatly. This article elaborates on the underlying reasons for these inconclusive results and addresses them by the development of a multilevel theoretical framework allowing for a better understanding of integrative influence of institutional, sector, and firm-specific determinants of EMFs’ internationalization strategies. This framework is validated by evidence from Russia, and a multiple case study approach is adopted to investigate the determinants of internationalization strategies of Russian firms.

Entrepreneurial FDI in Emerging Economies: Russian SME Strategy for Brazil

Brazil is perceived by potential investors not only as a country of samba, carnival and beaches, but also as the land of growth and development. Using the example of KGK Global, a small enterprise in the field of technology-intensive services, this case study examines why Russian investors go to Brazil and what kind of obstacles they may face there.

Liability of Foreignness of Emerging Market Firms: The Country of Origin Effect on Russian IT Companies

Foreign subsidiaries are considered to be at a disadvantage compared to domestic firms in foreign markets. The liability of foreignness (LOF) concept was first attempted in order to address the issue of these disadvantages. Although internationalization of emerging market firms (EMFs) is a very hot topic, there is very little research of LOF of EMFs. In this article, we investigate the sources of LOF and determine the extent of the country-of-origin (COO) effect on Russian IT firms. We also discuss how Russian firms may overcome the LOF, and we propose the mitigation strategies that will help them to decrease negative COO effect.

Obtaining international results through partnerships: evidence from Russian MNEs in the IT sector

The paper discusses the internationalisation specifics and results of Russian MNEs in the IT sector. The strategies of these firms are focused more on the acquisition of customers than of technologies when expanding abroad. As the technological sophistication of Russian companies and foreign firms in the high-tech sector is about equal (if compared to natural resource-based enterprises), our findings indicate that partnership-oriented strategy provides Russian firms with a better chance of obtaining positive results when expanding abroad. IT companies from Russia are relatively less influenced by their home government, being shaped more by economic than political factors in their international expansion Hence, we argue that they seem to be more marketing-oriented in their international expansion than their natural resource-based counterparts.

From National Leaders to Global Players: Evidence from Russian MNEs in the High Technology Sector

In this chapter the process of internationalization of Russian hi-tech multinational enterprises (MNEs) is analysed with a focus on telecommunications and IT companies that are expanding abroad. Of particular interest are the choices that Russian MNEs make when facing entry challenges, environmental constraints and investment alternatives.

Unraveling the IJV Rationale in Emerging Markets: The Case of Multinational Enterprises in the Russian Construction Industry

ABSTRACT This article investigates the role of international joint venture strategy of five multinational enterprises in the Russian construction market. Joint ventures play a crucial and specific role for these firms’ strategy in Russia: They serve both as an entry mode and a postentry strategy; facilitate business and guide foreign investors; increase efficiency for further strategy; and help international construction firms overcome the environmental deficiencies. Findings of the article bolster the theory by stressing the facilitating effect of joint venture upon challenges and problems that Western firms meet in emerging market in contrast with more developed economies.

European FDI for Emerging Market: The German Firm Strategy in Russia

This case focuses on the challenge of the Knauf Group strategy development for the Russian market. Knaufs active investment policy led to the growth of its brand recognition in the construction materials market and allowed for the creation of a strong premium brand. As a result, the company acquired a highly competitive position in the Russian market.Management had plans to increase investment in Russia, especially in the North-West region of the Russian Federation. However, in the year 2005 the company got rid of one of its most successful businesses, the Pobeda Knauf Masonry Mill in Kolpino just outside of St. Petersburg. The decision to focus on the production of gypsum products and related materials was made.Up to the moment of the sale of the Masonry Mill to a major Russian construction company LSR, the management of the factory had been conducted according to the same principles as were in force in Knaufs other businesses. The management focused on a strategy of quality, active marketing and improvement of the enterprises organizational structure.After twelve years of success in the Russian construction materials market, Knauf sold its successfullyfunctioning manufacturing facility to its direct competitor, the Lenstroyrekonstruktsiya Group. This might either be evidence of the fact that Knauf is aspiring to more narrowly define its core competency via staying away from non-core activities, or perhaps, is an indication of the loss of its control over its affiliates and the decrease of its competitive positions in the North-West market of the Russian Federation.

Russian Oil and Gas MNEs Investing in China: The Role of Government in Value Creation

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation (RF) are the two fastest-growing economies in the world. Gazprom has internationalized into China as it has been developing very fast. Russian companies also consider the Chinese market to be very attractive for international expansion, especially in natural resource-based industries, such as oil and gas or metallurgy.

Combining Internationalization and Autonomy: The Case of Russia

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are today considered an essential component of sustainable development, not only at the level of the state but also at the global level. Universities play an important role in political, economic, and social life. The emerging markets nowadays are turning toward education, technologies, and knowledge creation. Combining foreign practices and their own specific features, the universities from emerging economies are building their own original education systems.

The Effects of Country and Industry Factors on the Competitive Advantage of European Construction Firms Operating in Russia

Construction industry is one of the controversial industries discussed in the business and management literature. Accordingly, there is no consensus regarding whether product-related or service-related theories should be used to analyse this industry. Also, research on the internationalization of construction firms is in short supply.